AMATEUR builders and budding archaeologists of all ages can try their hand at building a wall and operating a digger on a York construction site.

The free event is part of a community family fun day at the Hungate site on Saturday.

The day is being organised by Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd with support from Taylor Woodrow and York Archaeological Trust - and also includes guided tours of the Hungate dig.

Children will be able to have a go at finding real artefacts in a small digging pit in the DIG Live display, and will be able to talk with archaeologists from the trust to learn more about archaeology.

Activities start from 10am and run until 2pm. Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd project manager Ian Shepherd, who is overseeing the £150 million development of the new Hungate urban neighbourhood, said: "We hope as many people as possible come to take part in the activities, visit the dig, listen to some live music and enjoy the free barbecue."

The community event has been timed to coincide with the latest in a highly successful series of open days arranged by York Archaeological Trust, which have given hundreds of members of the public the opportunity to have a free guided tour of the Hungate archaeological dig - the biggest urban excavation in the city for 25 years.

Between 10am and 2pm, visitors can venture onto the excavation walkway to see the previously buried 19th century remains of Haver Lane and St John's Place, the location of the 16th century Shoemakers Guildhall and the medieval remains that the archaeologists are currently working on. There will also be the opportunity for them to handle some of the finds that the trust's archaeologists have unearthed at the site and talk to them about how they go about sifting through York's history.

The Hungate site and excavation is located at the bottom of Stonebow in the city centre. To find out more about the excavation, their location and York Archaeology Trust's work visit www.dighungate.com and follow the links.